Our Brother is a Superhero

35

"You played awesome out there bub." Liam said, crouching next to a panting Zayn, who was lying on the field, still trying to catch his breath.

The football team had decided to play one very last game in a charity football match, as it was just a bit of fun and games, but all for a good cause. However, just because it was 'fun' didn't mean that their coach went easy on them, he basically worked them into the ground with training. Especially the younger ones who weren't quite as used to it.

Liam could vouch that the week they spent training on the lead up to the game, Zayn had been the most tired he'd ever ever been in his life. Like a good sportsman though, he powered through his tiredness to finish the game, and as soon as the final whistle blew (to announce that their team had won) his legs gave way due to tiredness and he didn't stop himself from collapsing onto the grass while all his other teammates (including his brothers) celebrated in a sort of huddle.

"Everywhere... hurts." He wheezed as he tried to stand up but his muscles screamed in protest. Liam smiled slightly as Zayn stilled on the grass, before he lifted the small boy up and manoeuvred him so that he clung to his back like a baby koala. Once Zayn was attached to Liam's back, the older boy made his way over to join the team.

"You a bit tried there bud?" Sam, a senior, teased, lightly patting the boy's bottom as he walked by. The boy whined softly, too tried to kick up a fuss.

"Aww leave the poor baby alone Sam." Tyler said, one of the other seniors, said while running his hand through Zayn's soft hair. "He's probably just fussy 'cause he's missed his nap." The boy laughed with his friend, Liam chuckling too.

Usually the boy wouldn't allow the team to tease Zayn about being the baby, but Zayn didn't seem to be protesting against anything that was said, and it was no secret that he was the baby of the team. Liam just nodded in response to what the two boys had said. "I do think I've got a tired little one on my hands." He said as he could feel Zayn resting his cheek on his shoulder.

"What a fuc- fricking game." Andy said, when Liam walked into the changing rooms, changing his wording when he caught sight of the young boy with Liam. Liam grinned at his best mate and nodded, both exchanging a fist bump and knowing look.

Liam placed Zayn down on the ground so he could get out of his sweaty kit, however, the tan boy just took this as an excuse to rest on the bench in the changing room. "Ah ah ah bubba, come on you gotta get dressed, we're all going out for dinner soon." Liam tutted, eliciting a whine from the younger boy, as Liam tried to stand him up again.

Eventually Liam left Zayn to rest on the bench while he showered and got changed. Once he was ready he made Zayn go and take a quick shower and then helped the boy change into his clothes, thankful that all the boys had already finished getting ready so that just left Liam and Zayn in the changing room. "You're a really tired bubba today aren't you." Liam cooed as he pulled on the younger boy's socks and laced up his trainers. "You're not even putting up a fuss about me dressing you the way I would for Haz." He smiled.

Taking the boy by the hand, he walked out to the car park where the team were waiting, all smelling a lot nicer since they had showered all the sweatiness of the game away. The boys all split off into three cars, Liam driving one and Andy and Sam driving the others. Louis sat in the back of Liam's car with Zayn next to him, allowing the boy to rest his head on his shoulder. "Make sure he drinks his water Boo." Liam said, putting his arm around the passengers head rest so he could look over his shoulder to reverse out of the parking space. Louis uncapped the water bottle and moved it to his little brother's lips, urging him to take a sip.

"That's it, come on Zaynie, open up." He cooed, causing the other boys in the car to laugh. Zayn whined as he knew they were babying him, but opened his mouth tiredly none the less.